The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-01-19
IMPROVED ORDER
Of THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Tho DissHttafaction In the. ordor Against
General Master Workman Powderly.
Various Reports About tho New
Move y GcncrRf Labor New,.

onas kuN CWTUHtCIEs
telegraph this evening says: There seems
to be a general belief among the Knights
OF Labor In this city that there Is but
slight disafection In the ranku Ct the
Order. The mpjority OF them claim that
the move for special General Assembly
is Insignificant, and is advocated by but a
comparatively few members. 1t Is claim
cd that the dlsAGection does not extend 10
Pittaburgh. 1t Is known, however, that
Notwithstanding these assertions, there
are number Of representative knights
here in Pittsburgh who arc opposed TO
Powder!y receiving salary of Sc, ,OCO per
year. An interview from an undoubtedly
reliable source was published TO that ei-
feet in these columns some time since. Il
was then argued that the unskilled work
ingmen IN the order were no: able
70 support such hieh.priced officers.
While the majotity. Of the mem.
bers OF the order In Pittsburgh
seem sincere In their assertions that
there Is no prospective revolt in tho ranks
Of the knixhta Of Labor, there are others
who claim to bs better posted. From such
sources, by close questioning, it has been
learned by the writer that the prospect of
revolt Is more imminent than ia pener-
ally supposed. II is said that even greater
sensations in the affairs OF the order than
have yet been published are liable to de-
velop within short time. A special ef-
fort was made 10 learn definitely what
were these prospective sensations. 1t has
been finally learned that the Improved
Order Of the knights OF Labor, about
which 80 many reports have been pub.
lfshed, has not only been seriously talked
OF, but that it is at the present time in
actual existence. It Is said that the new
order was started over month ago.
lE DIscoNTENrED MEMBERS. G ~
The discontented members OF the old
order commenced with but handful Of
men. The leaders have been go q1ietly
at work that 1t is said that within q month
its membership hss been increased to co..
900. Assemblies Eaye been formed in a
number OF Southwestern cities, also in
New York, Philadelphia and Chicsyo.
The utmost secrecy has been preserved by
the promoters Of the Improved Order. and
they have succeeded iu keeping ali but
the malcontents In ignorance of their
scheme. Members OF the old order have
been approached with the utmost caution,
and 1t is said that the promoters knew
their men DWELL that entire local sssem.
blies have gone into the new order, It ia
said that tho General Executive Board,
and all who are, not favorable to the NAL.
contents ore even now in ignorance that
the now order Is In SEXUAL existence.
Members OF the old order who have
heen questioned say that there is no ioun-
dation for the report that the Improved
Order has been formed. They argue that
even il 1t WAS in cxister CO II is nothing
new, as such an order existed Eve years
ago. From another source, friend of
Powderly, comes tho news that another
order was formed in Baltimore number
OF years ago. 1t wGs organized, however,
not for political purposes. One of the
national leaders OF the old order SECURED
Information OF its existence and yery
quickly disbauded the handful Of men
comprising its members. sgs
The Improved Order Of Knights Of La
Dor, founded month eince, has nothing
whatever to do with the ono Of ave years
ago. It's foundation is said to be entirely
the outcome Of the discomfort among q
certain faction Of the knights Of Labor.
Its members still retain their membership
in the old order. It is eaid that whether
the new or er will announce itself and
Withdraw from the old order depends to
certain extent upon the policy Of Knights
Of Labor in the future. ~,
A rumor has been published in The East
that Homer L. McGaw, ex. General Insur-
ance Agent Of the Knights OF Labor, has
IN contemplation handing in his resigua-
ton. 1t is said that his private business
affairs may compel him to decide upon
such action. From a member of the order
1t ia learned that there is good foundation
for the rumor. It is said that McGaw is
standing alooi from the malcontente, and
has no connection with the Improved Or
der Of the Knights Of Labor.